In the wake of Monday's announcement that Chronic Wasting Disease
has been confirmed in a three-year old privately-owned
white-tailed deer in Kent County, the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources is acting immediately to implement provisions of the state's
Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD.

Among the provisions is an immediate ban on all baiting and feeding of
deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula. DNR conservation officers will step
up surveillance and enforcement efforts on baiting. Baiting and feeding
unnaturally congregate deer into close contact, thus increasing the
transmission of contagious diseases such as CWD and bovine tuberculosis.
Bait and feed sites increase the likelihood that those areas will
become contaminated with the feces of infected animals, making them a
source of CWD infection for years to come.

Additionally, the provisions include a mandatory deer check for hunters
who take a deer within Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland,
Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon townships, which contain the surveillance
area or "hot zone." All hunters who take a deer during any deer
hunting season this fall within the "hot zone" will be required to
visit a DNR deer check station so that their deer can be tested for CWD.
The DNR currently is seeking locations for additional deer check
stations in the area to make it more convenient for hunters. To prevent
unintentional spread of CWD, the only parts of deer harvested in the
surveillance zone that will be allowed to be transported out will be
boned meat, capes, and antlers cleaned of all soft tissues.

In addition, all transport of live wild deer, elk and moose will be
prohibited statewide, including transport for rehabilitation purposes.
Currently, there is no live animal test for CWD, and infected animals
often show no signs of illness for years in spite of being infectious
for other animals. Movement for rehabilitation purposes may speed
geographic spread of the disease.

The DNR will act immediately to test an additional 300 deer within the
"hot zone" in Kent County. The DNR will be cooperating with local
officials to collect fresh road-killed deer, and will be urging deer
hunters participating in the early antlerless season on private land in
September to comply with the mandatory deer check.
Landowners in Kent County "hot zone" who would like to obtain
disease control permits to cull deer from their property and assist with
the collection of deer for testing should contact the DNR's Wildlife
Disease Lab at 517-336-5030. Permits will be available immediately upon
request. Landowners who do not want to cull deer, but want to
participate in the collection of deer for testing, can obtain assistance
from the DNR in culling deer.

DNR officials reminded citizens that, to date, there is no evidence
that CWD poses a risk to humans, nor has there been verified evidence
that the disease can be transmitted to humans.

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose.
Most cases of the disease have been in western states, but in the past
several years, it has spread to Midwestern and eastern states. Infected
animals display abnormal behaviors, loss of bodily functions and a
progressive weight loss. Current evidence suggests that the disease is
transmitted through infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions).
Prions are normal cell proteins whose shape has been transformed,
causing CWD. The disease is transmitted by exposure to saliva of
infected animals. Susceptible animals can also acquire CWD by eating
feces from an infected animal, or soil contaminated by them. Once
contaminated, soil can remain a source of infection for many years,
making CWD a particularly difficult disease to manage.

Just what I was scared of... the dnr over reacting to this. this law should only take an effect to the area the deer was found in and surounding land. Well I guess this is going to put an end to alot of fun Ill be having in the woods. The dnr will soon want every deer dead, and I wont be seeing much movement. This is really really sad. I still am in shock at the way the dnr handles these kinds of things.

"DNR conservation officers will step up surveillance and enforcement efforts on baiting." Now how and the heack are they going to do that? They hardly have any drn as it is?! This is crazy! I know here in Midland they have 2 dnr and they cover everywhere! What are they going to do, give all the dnr that our govenor got rid of a job back? UGH!

"If I pull the hammer and shoot this young buck, he's dead. But if I pass on him, the next hunter might not shoot so straight."

I just read the article and it said baiting prohibited in select counties and town ships. Maybe I missed it but, it didn't say all of michigan did it? Also how are the few DNR officers left gonna check all the deer. Afew times I tryed to get my deer checked and they were out to lunch or closed. All I wanted was my patch.

In the wake of Monday's announcement that Chronic Wasting Disease
has been confirmed in a three-year old privately-owned
white-tailed deer in Kent County, the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources is acting immediately to implement provisions of the state's
Surveillance and Response Plan for CWD.

Among the provisions is an immediate ban on all baiting and feeding of deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula. DNR conservation officers will step
up surveillance and enforcement efforts on baiting. Baiting and feeding
unnaturally congregate deer into close contact, thus increasing the
transmission of contagious diseases such as CWD and bovine tuberculosis.
Bait and feed sites increase the likelihood that those areas will
become contaminated with the feces of infected animals, making them a
source of CWD infection for years to come.

"If I pull the hammer and shoot this young buck, he's dead. But if I pass on him, the next hunter might not shoot so straight."

NY has a similar ban on baiting ,they do alot of surveillance from the air.they say they can spot corn real easy,they all ready have patrols up looking for illegal grow/meth operations

"Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person." - Fred Bear

Joels right and ever seen the pics of guys feeders in game pics the corn looks like it's glowing.....I'm sure when they are doing all the night time and day fly overs looking for pot plants that they record sightings of corn as well......not far from here a guy was caught hunting turkey over a split bag of corn...yep duble duty for the troopers..............

I was thinging about this baiting ban and it may be a good thing. 1 you won't have to compete with other people that bait, e.g maybe the other baiter has better bait. Plus we can now concintrate on natural food sorces. 2. don't ya think if you get a big buck with out bait it may be more rewarding?